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Sunday, January 11, 2026

1957 Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph

1957 Rolex Datejust

Spanish Turn-O-Graph Ad

The history of the Rolex Turn-O-Graph is beyond fascinating. It originally looked too similar to the Rolex Submariner, so Rolex decided to add a Date feature to it, and turned it into a Datejust model. This might sound confusing, and it is. As a matter of fact, the Rolex Turn-O-Graph, actually began its model life a the Rolex MonoMeter, but it appears Rolex liked Turn-O-Graph better.

The 1957 Rolex advertisement was from the "Men who control the destines of the World wear Rolex watches" campaign, which ran for years.

Nick Gould and I were recently examining this 1957 Spanish Rolex Magazine ad, and Nick said "It's rare to see Rolex advertising the Datejust with a Turn-O-Graph bezel." In my upcoming book series I go into great detail on the early history of the Turn-O-Graph, which is absolutely fascinating, and in my recent article published back in December of 2024 titled "The Complete History of The Rolex Thunderbirds and Rolex TURN-O-GRAPH", I go into great detail on it's history.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Rolex TURN-O-GRAPH Up Close...

...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day...

Rolex TURN-O-GRAPH
Honeycomb Dial. Reference 6202

I originally wrote this story back on November 16, 2008. I just stumbled across it in my archives, and thought I would share it:

I noticed the Rolex Turn-o-graph for sale in the upcoming Christie's Auction with a the white honeycomb dial and I wanted to learn more about the watch and get a better look at it.

I found this great image on the Antiquorum.com Auction site. This watch was part of Lot 151 which was sold on April 17, 2008 at the Antiquorum auction titled The Evolution of the Rolex Sports Watch. It sold for $44,400 U.S.

The Antiquorum description reads: "The Turn-o-graph Reference 6202 was touted by Rolex as The watch with a thousand and one uses." This watch was manufactured by Rolex in 1953 and its diameter is 35mm and thickness is 13mm.

I refer to this color combination of a Rolex with a white dial and black bezel as the Oreo Cookie. I really like the design of this watch and in particular I really like the Dauphine hands.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Was Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins The First NASA Astronaut to wear a Rolex Watch?

The Apollo 11 Story

Michael Collins

First Documented Rolex At NASA

Rolex Turn-O-Graph

Putting together Jake's Rolex Watch Blog is really fun because it is like a history lesson for me.

I feel like a Rolex Explorer (Pun not intended).

The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. Apollo 11 launched from The Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 16, 1969 and landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Neal Armstrong and Buzz Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin were the first humans to land on the Moon while Michael Collins orbited above.

It has been said that Rolex was not the first watch on the moon and I don't know because I was not there, but this image of American Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins is very interesting. The photo of him was taken on April 16, 1969 during centrifuge training as he prepared to go to the moon three months later.

As you can tell by clicking on the images below for close ups of Apollo Astronaut Michael Collins he is unequivocally wearing a Stainless Steel Rolex. I believe it is a Stainless Steel Rolex Turn-O-Graph which was a precursor to the Submariner.

Pictured above and below are the prime crew of Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Left to right are Neil Armstrong, Commander; Michael Collins, Command Module Pilot and Edwin "Buzz" Aldren Jr., Lunar Module Pilot (May 1, 1969). Notice in the photo above that Michael Collins is wearing his Rolex on his right wrist as he posses with his fellow crew members, in front of the Saturn V at the Kennedy Space Center that would soon take them to the moon and back.

...The Rolex President...

U.S. President: Lyndon Johnson

Apollo 11 Lift-off

In this next photo we see U.S. President Lyndon Johnson wearing his trademark yellow gold "Rolex President" Day-Date as he watches Apollo 11 take-off for the moon on July 16, 1969 at 9:32am EDT. U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew is pictured on Johnson's right and Lady Bird is on his left.

Historical Note: The photo above of U.S. President Johnson is a bit ironic because he was no longer President when this photo was taken. At the time Richard Nixon was the President of The United States and he did not attend since he was paranoid the launch might fail. Instead he watched the launch live on TV from the Oval Office.